Legal Information Management and Analysis

A Collaborative Program Leading to JD and MLS Degrees

School of Law and Department of Library and Information Studies, Graduate School of Education

The program in Legal Information Management and Analysis offers qualified students the opportunity to combine studies and professional training in law and library and information studies. The program offers a unique preparation for students interested in careers as law librarians and legal information professionals, and leads to both a JD degree and a Master’s degree in Library and Information Studies.

The MLS program provides a solid grounding in techniques of librarianship and knowledge management. Students in the JD program gain a critical understanding of legal concepts, information resources and services. Successful candidates receive a JD and a Master’s degree in Library and Information Studies in an accelerated course of study. The collaborative program allows completion of both degrees in four years, rather than the four and a half to five years traditionally required to earn both degrees individually. Possession of both JD and MLS degrees is a common requirement for entry-level positions in academic law libraries, and is essential for advancement in the profession of academic law librarianship. Training in both law and information studies prepares graduates for new opportunities in publishing and other aspects of the legal information industry.

A Collaborative Model of Law Librarianship

Researchers are increasingly able to access digital information anywhere and at any time. The traditional role of librarians as intermediaries is evolving into relationships as partners and collaborators with information users. Students trained in the dual degree program learn a practical model of law librarianship dedicated to exploring these new roles.

A Critical Model of Legal Knowledge

University at Buffalo Law School’s tradition of interdisciplinary scholarship promotes the development of a critical understanding of the standard frameworks of legal analysis and greatly enriches the emerging law librarian’s intellectual scope and research skills.

A Futures-Oriented Model of Law Library Management

The management and integration of new information technologies and traditional resources require skills of critical analysis to cope with continual change. Students in the collaborative degree program learn to employ techniques of futures-oriented planning in an attempt, not to predict the most likely or most desirable future, but rather to envision divergent scenarios and prepare to adapt to unpredictable developments.

A Holistic Model of Practical Training

Students in the collaborative program have the opportunity to gain valuable work experience and practical skills through law library internships in academic, court, and law firm library settings. In addition, outstanding students are eligible to apply for a limited number of graduate assistant positions in the Law Library. These one-year positions, with the possibility of renewal, provide a $10,000 stipend and a substantial reduction in tuition. (Students may apply for graduate assistant positions after completion of at least one year of law school and one semester of the MLS program.) Students are also encouraged to develop a habit of professional activity in law librarianship; accordingly, travel grants are available to assist students in attending professional conferences.

Program Sequence

Candidates for the JD and MLS degrees begin the program by spending the first year in either the Law School or the Department of Library and Information Studies. Students starting in the Law School typically spend the second year in residence at DLIS by taking 24 credit hours in the MLS program. In years three and four, students take a combination of Law and DLIS courses, including at least 12 credits of cross-listed and DLIS courses.* To ensure compliance with all necessary degree requirements, each student will work out an individual course of study in consultation with both DLIS and the Law School.

JD/MLS Course Requirements

JD candidates, as part of their Law School program, are strongly encouraged take a broad variety of courses to become familiar with a range of legal information. All JD/MLS students are required to take Law Library Administration (cross-listed in both DLIS and the Law School). Additional recommended courses and seminars provide a variety of perspectives on the sources of law and the nature of different legal systems.

Suggested Curriculum

Year 1: Law School (32 credits: core program)*
Year 2: DLIS (24 credits)*
Year 3: Law School (28 credits; includes 1 or 2 DLIS or cross-listed courses)
Year 4: Law School (30 credits; includes 1 or 2 DLIS or cross-listed courses)

*The sequence of the first two years may be reversed.

No person, in whatever relationship with the State University of New York at Buffalo, shall be subject to discrimination on the basis of age, creed, color, disability, national origin, race, religion, ethnicity, sex, sexual orientation, marital or veteran status.

Course Credit Requirements

Students must fulfill the course credit requirements of the respective programs.

Law School: To meet the requirements for a JD, students must successfully complete 90 credits of course work, 32 in the core first-year program. The remaining 58 credits are earned through elective courses, including at least one seminar. The Law School will accept up to 9 hours of law-related graduate courses in other departments toward the JD degree.

DLIS: The MLS degree is awarded on the completion of 36 credit hours, 15 attributable to core required courses. DLIS will accept a maximum of 6 credits from another graduate department or school toward the MLS. Each student must file a correct Plan of Study with the DLIS office before being eligible for graduation.

Admission

Prospective students must submit separate applications and be admitted to the UB Law School and the UB Department of Library and Information Studies (DLIS). Application to both schools may be simultaneous, or students admitted to Law or the MLS program may opt for the collaborative program during their first year and then seek admission to the other school.

Financial Aid

The Law School and the Department of Library and Information Studies offer limited scholarship aid to exceptionally qualified students.

For more information, contact:

James Milles
Associate Dean and Director of the Law Library,
Associate Professor of Law
University at Buffalo Law School
208 O’Brian Hall
Buffalo, NY 14260
jgmilles@buffalo.edu
Voice: (716) 645-2089; Fax: (716) 645-3860